Teaching Lab Legacy Early College, SC Report

2020-2021 Report

Background

In SY20-21, Teaching Lab administered online diagnostic and follow-up surveys of educators participating in Teaching Lab’s professional learning in order to measure growth and improvement in three different areas: 1) Educator Mindsets and Beliefs, 2) School Environment, and 3) Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge. There were 41 educators who completed the diagnostic survey, 14 educators who completed the follow-up survey, and 9 educators who completed both.

Summary of Results

Methodology and Presentation of Results

We have provided two types of results for each section: The results in the first three columns of the table refer to the overall group averages. We provide the group average for the diagnostic and follow-up surveys as well as the percentage point change (increase or decrease) over this time. It is important to note that the group that completed the diagnostic survey and the group that completed the follow-up survey are different in size. The results in the fourth column reflect the percentage of educators who improved their responses or sustained the highest level response from the diagnostic to follow-up survey. This group of educators is the same for both surveys and is smaller in size.

Section 1: Mindsets and Beliefs

Educators were asked a series of questions about their mindsets toward instruction and students on a 5-point Likert scale from 1- Strongly disagree to 5- Strongly agree. The questions focused on four core constructs surrounding mindsets and beliefs, specifically the recognition of race and culture, growth mindsets, high expectations, and taking accountability for equitable instruction.


1
Methodological note: Mindsets and Beliefs questions were scored in the following way: for positively coded items, “1” and “2” were worth 0 points, “3” was worth 1 point, and “4” and “5” were worth 2 points. This was reversed for negatively coded items where “4” and “5” were 0 points, “3” was 1 point, and “1” and “2” were 2 points. Educators were considered to have improved if their score on the follow-up survey was higher than that of the diagnostic survey. (e.g., they responded “4” on the diagnostic and “5” in the follow-up for positively coded items, they responded “4” on the diagnostic and “3” in the follow-up for negatively coded items). Educators who responded with the highest-level responses (“4” and “5” or “1” and “2”, depending on the item) on both the diagnostic and follow-up surveys were considered to have sustained equitable mindsets, growth mindsets, high expectations, and/or accountability for equitable instruction.

     

Educators’ Averages Scores on Equitable Mindsets and Beliefs, by Survey Administration
Average Scores on Equitable Mindsets & Beliefs
% of Educators that Improved or Sustained High Scores
Diagnostic Survey
Follow-up Survey
Percentage Point Change
Overall score 74% 72% -2 71%
Recognition of race & culture 53% 61% 8 62%
Holding growth mindsets 57% 58% 2 61%
Having high expectations and beliefs 97% 82% -15 78%
Taking accountability for equitable instruction 97% 92% -5 85%
n = 41 n = 14 n = 9

The plot illustrates educators’ average scores from the diagnostic and follow-up surveys, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the diagnostic scores, and blue represents the follow-up scores. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease in the average scores.

Section 2: School Environment

Educators were asked about their school environment, including culture and climate on a 5-point Likert scale from 1- Strongly disagree to 5- Strongly agree. Specifically, educators were asked about trust and connectedness to other educators, their role in shaping their own professional learning, and confidence in implementing the curriculum in a way that maximizes positive impact for student learning.


2
Methodological note: Educators were considered to have positive perceptions if they responded “4” or “5” on the scale. They were considered to have improved on an item if their response on the follow-up survey was at least one response higher than the diagnostic response (e.g., they responded “3” on the diagnostic and “4” on the follow-up). Educators who responded with the highest-level responses (“4” or “5”) on both the diagnostic and follow-up surveys were considered to have sustained positive perceptions.

     

Educators’ Perceptions of School Culture and Climate, by Survey Administration, by Survey Administration
% of Educators with Positive Perceptions of School Culture and Climate
% of Educators that Improved or Sustained Positive Perceptions
Diagnostic Survey
Follow-up Survey
Percentage Point Change
Overall score 66% 65% -1 72%
Trust in fellow teachers 92% 77% -15 63%
Connectedness to fellow teachers 84% 92% 8 88%
Have influence over professional learning 32% 23% -9 75%
I am confident that I am implementing the curriculum in a way that maximizes positive impact for student learning 55% 69% 14 63%
n = 38 n = 13 n = 8

The plot illustrates the shifts in educators’ reported culture and climate, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the percentage of educators with positive perceptions in the diagnostic survey, and blue represents the percentage in the follow-up survey. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease in the percent of educators who agreed or strongly agreed with the items.

Section 3: Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge

Educators were asked a series of questions about their knowledge of instructional shifts and evidence-based instructional practices in their content area.

Section 3a: ELA Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge

In ELA, the questions focused on seven core constructs, as shown in the table.

Educators’ Average Scores on ELA Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge, by Survey Administration
Average Scores of Educators with ELA Content & Pedagogical Content Knowledge
% of Educators that Improved or Sustained High Scores
Diagnostic Survey
Follow-up Survey
Percentage Point Change
Overall score 47% 71% 24 NA
ELA instructional shifts 32% 50% 18 NA
Fluency 51% 75% 24 NA
Text complexity 38% 80% 42 NA
Close reading 58% 75% 17 NA
Building knowledge 40% 88% 48 NA
Supporting students with unfinished learning 59% 70% 11 NA
n = 24 n = 4 n = 0

The plot illustrates the shift in educators’ average scores for ELA content and pedagogical content knowledge, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the diagnostic scores, and blue represents the follow-up scores. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease of average scores.

Section 3b: Math Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge

In Mathematics, the questions focused on four core constructs, as shown in the table.

Educators’ Average Scores on Math Content and Pedagogical Content Knowledge, by Survey Administration
Average Scores of Educators with Math Content & Pedagogical Content Knowledge
% of Educators that Improved or Sustained
Diagnostic Survey
Follow-up Survey
Percentage Point Change
Overall score 52% 54% 2 60%
Math instructional shifts 44% 42% -2 51%
Equitable Math Instruction 61% 65% 4 69%
Supporting students with unfinished learning 61% 70% 9 76%
Effective Teaching Practices 49% 47% -2 54%
n = 17 n = 10 n = 9

The plot illustrates the shift in educators’ average scores for Math content and pedagogical content knowledge, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the diagnostic scores, and blue represents the follow-up scores. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease of average scores.

Section 4: Teacher Observations by Administrators

Coaches, leaders, and/or administrators were asked about the areas they focus on when observing teachers in general and also whether they observe differences in teaching practices between teachers who have participated in Teaching Lab professional learning and teachers who have not.

First, coaches, leaders, and/or administrators were asked whether they focus on the following areas when observing teachers: The lesson is focused on a high-quality text or task. The questions and tasks address the analytical thinking required by the grade-level standards. All students have opportunities to engage in the work of the lesson.

Observation Practices of Coaches, Leaders, and Administrators, by Survey Administration, by Survey Administration
% of Coaches, Leaders, and Administrators who Agreed or Strongly Agreed
% of Educators that Improved or Sustained
Diagnostic Survey
Follow-up Survey
Percentage Point Change
When observing teachers, I focus on… 89% 100% 11 100%
Whether the lesson is focused on a high-quality text or task 100% 100% 0 100%
Whether the questions and tasks address the analytical thinking required by the grade-level standards 67% 100% 33 100%
Whether all students have opportunities to engage in the work of the lesson 100% 100% 0 100%
n = 3 n = 1 n = 1

The plot illustrates the shifts in coaches, leaders, and/or administrators’ reported observation practices, which corresponds to the information in the first three columns of the table. Orange represents the percentage who always or almost always focus on these aspects in the diagnostic survey, and blue represents the percentage in the follow-up survey. The arrows represent the directionality, showing an increase or decrease in the percent of educators who always or almost always focus on these aspects.

Coaches, leaders, and/or administrators were also asked to compare teaching practices between Teaching Lab participants and non-Teaching Lab participants in the follow-up survey. They were asked about the same three areas above.

Differences in Teaching Practices between Teaching Lab Participants and Non-participants, as Reported by Coaches, Leaders, and Administrators
TL Teachers1 Non-TL Teachers1
The lesson is focused on a high-quality text or task 100% 0%
The questions and tasks address the analytical thinking required by the grade-level standards 100% 0%
All students have opportunities to engage in the work of the lesson 100% 0%

1 n = 1

The graph illustrates the differences in teaching practices between teachers who have participated in Teaching Lab professional learning and teachers who have not, as reported by the coaches, leaders, and/or administrators.

Section 5: Lab Leaders

Lab Leaders were asked about their engagement in different activities, such as leading professional learning, leading PLC meetings, coaching teachers, sharing information and resources, and improving their own instructional practices.

The graph below illustrates the Lab Leaders participation in different activities.

Section 6: Student Work

No student work was analyzed at this location.

Section 7: Participant Feedback

Looking at participant feedback from Legacy Early College, SC we see good scores across the board:

Teaching Lab Performance on Participant Feedback Questions for Legacy Early College, SC
How Likely Are You To Apply This Learning To Your Practice In The Next 4-6 Weeks? I felt a sense of community with the other participants in this course even though we were meeting virtually. This course helped me navigate remote and/or hybrid learning during COVID-19. % Who Say Activities Of Today's Session Were Well-Designed To Help Me Learn S/He Effectively Built A Community Of Learners
83% 84% 69% NA 89%

Finally, looking at the textual feedback from participants we also see a lot of positive feedback, even when people are giving tips for improvement

Comments on what Went Well
Quotes from "Overall, what went well in this professional learning?"

"I enjoyed working with the other teachers and having time to
plan out the next steps."

"collaboration, engagement and some amazing dialogue and
shared AHA moments."

"The discussion among my peers and being able to hear from
different grade levels."

"I like the presentation style. Erin is very receptive to
various personalitites in these meetings and she manages
them well. She actually gets her point across by keeping
everyone focused."

"The experience with presenting will help with sharing this
information with colleague at my school."

"The flow of the training and the sharing of stories were
much appreciated!"

"I really LOVED today- I liked how Eryn let others in
the group facilitate and we really got a chance to make
connections to what is happening in our own classrooms.
Today was really a great learning experience."

"My favorite aspect of today was the rich and positive
discussion with my professional peers."

Comments on Improving Experience
Quotes from "What could have improved your experience?"

"All of the materials for all 3 sessions in one place."

"I need to print out the handbook so that I have fewer tabs
to navigate"

"Break out rooms- it is hard to get a word in when everyone
from the same school is in the break out room and you are
not at that school."

"More organization of the different pieces--support in
structuring."

"Nothing- it was a great learning and supportive day."

Additional Comments
Quotes from "Do you have additional comments?"

"It was great building better relationships with my
colleagues"

"I enjoyed it. Really loved being able to focus on materials
we use and plan for future lessons."

"enjoy our time and learningreally like this curriculum<span style='color:#04abeb; font-weight:bold;'>enjoy
meeting with other teachers esp in my grade level"


  1. Methodological Note 1↩︎

  2. Methodological Note 2↩︎

 

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